Local Republicans have reversed a previous decision to hold a caucus instead of a primary for two county-level seats because of a short timeline from the Rutherford County Election Commission.

This new decision was a result of new information coming to light that informed both the Democratic and Republican parties that all candidates had to qualify prior to Thursday, Dec. 8.

This meant that the original caucus date of Feb. 7, 2012, would have to be moved up and held sometime in late November.

Due to this shortened timeline the Executive Committee felt that it would not be feasible or as effective to hold a caucus within such a shortened timeline and therefore voted 11-1 to hold a primary in 2012.

“I would like to thank Administrator of Elections Nicole Lester for bringing this issue to both parties attention,” Chairman Austin Maxwell said. “I would like to also thank Commissioner Mark Goins for his efforts in clarifying this issue. I personally hoped that the ruling would be in our favor and that we could keep the original dates and hold a caucus on Feb. 7. When this did not happen it was necessary for us to meet and revisit the issue and determine if a caucus was still the best course of action. The committee did not feel that way and reversed its previous decision.”

On Saturday, the Rutherford County Republican Party Executive Committee met in a special-called meeting and voted to reverse its previous decision to hold a caucus in 2012 for property assessor and road superintendent.

In an 11-1 vote, the Executive Committee voted to hold a primary on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, which will coincide on the same day as the Presidential Preference Primary.